Visiting the town of Wasilla, Alaska

In 2008 the town of Wasilla vaulted into the big time as the home of Alaska’s then-governor (and vice presidential candidate), Sarah Palin. Her meteoric rise to fame and infamy simultaneously brought international attention to Wasilla. Although widely regarded as the hands-down ugliest town in Alaska, Wasilla does have some redeeming qualities, most notably the gorgeous mountains at nearby Hatcher Pass. You may not be able to see Russia from here, but you can see Alaska from Wasilla.

In 1977, Wasilla consisted of a landing strip and a grocery store that advertised the convenience of flying in from the bush, buying Matanuska Valley produce, and flying out again—without the hassles of Anchorage. Then, when the capital looked like it might be moved to Willow, 25 miles up the highway, Anchorageites began to discover Wasilla’s quiet, beauty, and affordable land, and contractors took advantage of the town’s lax restrictions on development. And develop it did, with a vengeance. During 1980–1982, the town’s population of 1,200 doubled, then doubled again in 1982–1984. Stores, malls, and fast-food chains popped up faster than you could say “We do chicken right.” Teeland’s General Store was jacked up, moved from the corner it had sat on for over 60 years, and unceremoniously dumped in a parking lot around the block to make way for a 7-Eleven. The original airstrip, which had kept Wasilla on the map for so long, was moved out from the middle of all the hustle and bustle of town.

The unbridled growth continues today, as relatively low real estate prices and good roads make the area a favorite of Anchorage commuters wanting a piece of the suburban lifestyle. In the 1990s, Wasilla’s Wal-Mart proved so popular that after just a few years Wal-Mart built a new and much larger version across the highway. It’s been followed by Target and Walgreens stores, plus dozens of strip-type buildings crowding the highway. Driving south into and through Wasilla on the Parks Highway is like passing through a space warp and reemerging in any Southern California suburb. It’s the kind of place where locals give directions in relation to the nearest big-box store: “It’s up the road a half-mile beyond Wal-Mart.”

Historical Sights in Wasilla

Make sure to visit Dorothy Page Museum and Historical Park (907/373-9071, Mon.–Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Apr.–Sept., Wed.–Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Oct.– Mar., $3 adults, children under 13 free) on Main Street just off the Parks Highway. The museum houses historical photos, artifacts from early settlers and the Iditarod, plus interesting downstairs exhibits of the mining era, including a diorama of Independence Mine. The adjacent old town-site park contains a schoolhouse, a bunkhouse, a smokehouse, a steam bath, a blacksmith shop, and a cache. Just up the street is Teeland’s Store (1917), one of the oldest buildings in Alaska. Today the beautifully restored structure houses a sandwich shop.

About four miles north of town at Mile 47, take a left at the sign and head 0.75 miles down to the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry (907/376-1211, daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m. May–Sept., closed Oct.–Apr., $8 adults, $5 seniors and youths, children under 3 free, $18 families). This museum houses an extensive collection of antiques relating to Alaskan aviation, railroading, fishing, mining, and road transportation. Take a gander at the “Chitina auto railer,” an old car built to run on rail tracks. Outside are wooden boats, farm machinery (much of it still running), ancient snowmobiles, and several rail cars.

Just beyond the museum is Alaska Live Steamers (907/373-6412, $4), a scale-model railroad that takes families through the forest, over bridges, and through tunnels on summer weekends. It’s a good place to meet people living out their model railroad dreams from childhood. Trains run on weekends 10 a.m.–4 p.m. June–mid- September.

Knik Museum (907/376-7755, Thurs.– Sun. 1–6 p.m. June–Aug., $2) is 14 miles from Wasilla out on Knik Road. Housed in a century- old building, it exhibits items from the Knik gold rush of 1897–1917 and the Iditarod Trail.

Other Nearby Sights

Wasilla is the headquarters for the 1,049-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from Anchorage to Nome. The headquarters (907/376-5155 or 800/545-6874, daily 8 a.m.–7 p.m. mid-May–mid-Sept., Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–5 p.m. mid-Sept.–mid-May) includes a log museum containing race memorabilia, Native Alaskan artifacts, videos, and dogmushing equipment. Also here is Togo, the stuffed sled dog who led Leonhard Seppala’s team during the 1925 serum delivery to Nome. Find Togo and friends two miles out on Knik Road. Admission is free, though a fee is charged to go for a ride on a wheeled dogsled.

Lakeshore Park at Wasilla Lake right off the highway has swimming (not too cold), picnic tables, and a view of the craggy Chugach Mountains—a great place to set up your tripod. A less crowded day-use lake area is at Kepler-Bradley Lakes just beyond the junction of the Parks and Glenn Highways, on the Glenn Highway toward Palmer.

Services

Adjacent to the museum, the Wasilla Public Library (391 N. Main St., 907/376-5913) is a good place to stop and check your email or play on the Web. If you don’t want to wait, head to The Digital Cup (545 S. Knik–Goose Bay Rd., 907/373-2727) next to Fred Meyer. Swim at Wasilla High School’s pool (701 W. Bogard Rd., 907/376-4222).

Mat-Su Community Transit, better known as MASCOT (907/376-5000), has weekday service throughout the valley ($2.50) and commuter runs to Anchorage ($3).

Adventure Awaits!

Moon Guides Author Spotlight

Jason Frye (Moon Great Smoky Mountain National Park)

Raised deep in the mountains of West Virginia, Jason Frye first fell in love with North Carolina as a kid during family vacations to the Outer Banks. In 2002, he swapped his mountains for sand dunes and his river for an ocean when he moved to Wilmington to pursue a master of fine arts in creative writing. There, his love for North Carolina deepened into a longing to stay, settle, explore, and be a part of the people, culture, and history of the state.

Along with his wife, Lauren, Jason has kayaked the marshes and waterways near his home; hang glided off the Outer Banks; explored the cityscapes of Charlotte, Raleigh, and Winston-Salem; and wandered the woods and wilds around Asheville.

A member of the Society of American Travel Writers, Jason has contributed stories to VisitNC.com, AAA’s Go Magazine, Our State magazine, Southern Living, Salt, the Charlotte Observer and Raleigh News & Observer, and acts as a culinary critic for the Wilmington StarNews.